May the Force Be With You at Disney Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

At the D23 Expo back in 2015, Disney CEO Bob Iger made Star Wars fans cry tears of joy when he announced a Star Wars-themed land. Cheers erupted when he broke the news that the new land would be at both U.S. Disney Parks. After almost four years, opening dates for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge were announced. Disneyland Galaxy’s Edge general reservations are FULLY BOOKED. Find out how you can still experience Star Wars Land May 31st through June 23rd, 2019 at Disneyland. And we now have new information on how Disney will enforce the four hour limit – Stormtroopers may be involved! Read on for all the information you need to be one of the first to experience Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World and Disneyland.

UPDATE May 13, 2019:

During the first three weeks, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open at Disneyland Park guests with reservations will have a strict four-hour time limit to explore the new land. We’ve recently learned that Disney will be using colored wristbands for each designated four-hour block. Once the time limit has passed those guests will no longer be allowed on rides, to purchase merchandise and will be escorted out of Galaxy’s Edge by Stormtroopers.

May 4, 2019:

In honor of May the Fourth Be With You, Disney announced that Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open at 6am ET for ALL guests on opening weekend, August 29 – 31, 2019. There will be special Extra, Extra Magic Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! These special hours will be daily from 6 am to 9 am, September 1 – November 2, 2019, and will be exclusive to Disney World Resort guests. Guests will not only be granted access to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge but will also be able to experience Toy Story Land and other select attractions throughout the park.

To help ease the crowds, there will also be Extra, Extra Magic Hours daily August 29 – November 2, 2019, at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom 7 am – 8 am for Disney World Resort hotel guests.

May 3, 2019:

The general reservations for access to Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge are GONE! The reservations “sold out” within two hours of opening. Now, the only way to gain entry into Disneyland’s Star Wars Land May 31 – June 23, 2019, is by staying at one of the three Disneyland Hotels – Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Paradise Pier.

Need a little reminder of how the story goes in all those movies? Our very own Fran Capo, Adventure TravelingMom and the Guinness World Record Holder World’s Fastest Talking Woman, offers her speedy recap of the Star Wars franchise:

Not So Long Ago, In A Galaxy Not Far From Home…

I remember it clearly as yesterday: I was sitting inside Hall 23 in the Anaheim Convention Center, listening to Bob Iger talk about Star Wars Land. Words like “fully immersive” and “largest expansion in Disney Parks history” set the room on fire. As I left, I couldn’t believe that I was going to be able to live out my Star Wars fantasy. It was something I’ve dreamed about since I was a child.

I have been blessed to visit Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World multiple times since then and have followed the progress of both lands. It’s been such a thrill to watch the lands come to life.

What is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?

At a whopping 14 acres, Galaxy’s Edge is home to two new attractions and is the most anticipated new theme park land. Disney guests will be transported to the planet Batuu along the Outer Rim. And more specifically, Black Spire Outpost.

The land brings to life the galaxy far far away with dining locations like Oga’s Cantina, Kat Saka’s Kettle, and Ronto Roasters. But what I’m looking forward to trying the most is blue and green milk! These film-inspired delicacies will be available at the Milk Stand in Galaxy’s Edge.

Guests can try their hand at bartering with some of the galaxy’s best traders in the open market. They will be able to create their own droid at the Droid Depot, visit the Toydarian Toymaker and adopt a Loth-Cat at the Creature Stall.

And along the way, fans can hunt down some familiar faces such as Rey and Finn, and meet their favorite droid, BB-8. I’m pretty sure Darth Vader and Captain Phasma will try to persuade guests to come over to the Dark Side.

The Creature Stall in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will offer creatures of the galaxy, including porgs, tauntauns and more. Photo credit: David Roark/Disney Parks

Simply put, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is every Star Wars nerd’s ultimate fantasy. But this fully immersive land has the potential to make all visitors diehard Star Wars lovers.

When is Star Wars Land opening?

Rumors have been flying about when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge would open. We’ve had the time frame of “summer of 2019” for Disneyland and “late fall of 2019” for Disney World for a while now. But in a shocking move, Disney has announced that the new Star Wars land will open early. But even more surprising is that they will open in two phases.

At Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, guests will have the opportunity to customize and craft their own lightsabers. In this exclusive experience, guests will feel like a Jedi as they build these elegant weapons from a more civilized age. Photo credit: Disney Parks

Galaxy’s Edge Phase One will open on May 31st, 2019 at Disneyland Park and on August 29th, 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The opening dates for Phase Two have yet to be announced.

What is included in Phase One of Galaxy’s Edge?

Disney hasn’t released many specifics on what will be open to guests visiting during Phase One. But we do know the newest attraction Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will be open. Smugglers Run gives fans the opportunity to pilot the infamous Millennium Falcon. So get behind the controls of Han Solo’s hunk of junk and see what she’s made of!

Phase One visitors will also be able to experience uniquely themed dining options and get the chance to shop the Batuu street markets.

Personally, I believe most of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will be open to those visiting during phase one.

What does Phase Two of Star Wars Land include?

Most notably, Phase Two includes the second ride, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Billed as “most ambitious, immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined”(Disney Parks press release) it isn’t surprising that it won’t be ready early.

Giving visitors the chance to join the Resistance and battle Kylo Ren, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance puts guests in the middle of long standing between the Rebels and the First Order.

What you need to know before visiting Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland

In anticipation of larger than normal crowds, Disney is planning ahead with some unique rules. Those visiting Disneyland Star Wars Land between May 31st and June 23rd, 2019 will need a reservation just to access Star Wars Land. These reservations will be free of charge but are subject to availability. More information on how to secure a reservation will be available at a later date.

Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will feature rare items from across the galaxy for sale, all part of Dok-Ondar’s collection. Items will represent different eras of the Star Wars galaxy, including holocrons, ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts, lightsabers and more. Photo credit: Disney Parks

But if you are wanting to be among the first to walk the streets of Batuu in California, I highly suggest booking a room at one of the three Disneyland Resort hotels. These guests will be given a designated no-cost reservation to access Galaxy’s Edge during their stay. Valid theme park tickets are required.

On April 22, 2019, guests with Disneyland Resort hotel reservations booked from May 31 through June 23, 2019, received emails with their designated reservation time. And we now know each reservation is good for a four-hour window.

On May 2, 2019, at 8 a.m. PT Disney will release specific details on how to make reservations on the Disney Parks Blog and Disneyland.com. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge registration will open at 10 am PT. You will need a Disney Account to register, so make sure to have that account set up BEFORE 10 a.m. PT. And remember, all reservations are subject to availability.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will not be available during Extra Magic Hour or Magic Mornings at Disneyland Park.

Also note: there will not be any FastPasses or MaxPasses for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run initially. It is unknown if or when Fastpasses will be made available for the ride.

Unlike Disneyland guests, Orlando, Florida guests will not need to have a reservation to access Star Wars Land. But the capacity will be limited and will more than likely have long wait times. An added bonus for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel guests, Star Wars Land WILL be open during Extra Magic Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This could make a huge difference in wait times for some visitors. I know I already have my hotel reservations booked!

Innovative and creative eats and drinks from around the galaxy will be available at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Pictured here, left to right, are the Meiloorun Juice, the Turkey Jerky and the Ronto Wrap filled with spiced grilled sausage and roasted pork found at Ronto Roasters, located in the Black Spire Outpost market inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Photo credit: Kent Phillips/Disney Parks

There will not be FastPass+ for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run for the foreseeable future. This is an unexpected, not so good surprise. Especially since when Toy Story Land opened last summer, guests were able to pre-book FastPass+ for those attractions.

Download the Disney Play App for an even more immersive experience

Disney introduced the Disney Play app last and it was immediately a hit with guests. The app gives visitors the chance to interact with the new world around them. Features include Disney music, games and interactive activities that come alive when in select attraction queues.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the first land built that fully incorporates the Disney Play app. Use it as an intergalactic translator and discover hidden elements around the land. Guests can also use it to interact with droids, ships, media screens and more!

Make sure to download the Disney Play app before your trip, because it’s definitely a tool you want when visiting Galaxy’s Edge.

I have been counting down the months till Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but with the announcement of phase one opening dates my countdown just got shorter! To say I’m excited is a huge understatement. I’m now impatiently waiting like the Mervyn’s lady tapping on the glass chanting “open, open, open!”